MIRROR MIRROR

Julia Roberts as the wicked Queen in the Snow White story? Absolutely! Lily Collins is Snow White, Armie Hammer is the Prince

WRATH OF THE TITANS

Most of the same cast from “Clash of the Titans” (2010) is back as Zeus (Liam Neeson) is set up for rescue from the Underworld by his son Perseus (Sam Worthington) in this IMAX/3D special effects film.

1. EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE:

A very unusual little movie about an autistic boy named Oskar (Thomas Horn) who lost his father (Tom Hanks) in the World Trade Center on 9/11, and who struggles to find sense in a senseless world. Sandra Bullock plays the now-single mother with restraint and sadness while the little boy goes on a search. He found a key hidden among his father’s things, and believes that it holds the answers to many questions about his Dad … in effect, a message from his father. Oskar sets out each day to try to find the lock for his key. Max von Sydow is excellent as “The Renter” and the story will surprise you as it spins out. Not what it appears to be! Rated PG.

2. A DANGEROUS METHOD:

This Genie Award-winning film takes a difficult subject and makes it even more difficult. Kiera Knightly plays a young woman challenged by two very intelligent men, Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung, in the foundation days of what would come to be known as psychoanalysis. Although her character is the one with the psychological problems, it is the two doctors who end up in a battle of wills over her. Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender star in this Canadian film that didn’t manage an Oscar, but did well with domestic awards. Rated 18A.

3. ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED:

Whether you are a fan of these frenetic little rodents or if you are not, you cannot deny their box office moxie. Chipwrecked stayed in the top 10 for weeks. Kids loved it, and parents begrudgingly admitted that it was pretty cute. This time Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are on a cruise ship along with the Chipettes, their female counterparts. Accidentally falling overboard (I hate it when that happens) they make their way to what at first appears to be a deserted tropical island, which turns out to be anything but deserted. The Chipmunks are animated, everyone else is live. Cute!! Rated G.

Fall 2010 TV Debut Week - Click to View

4. EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE:

Max von Sydow deserved the Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his portrayal of The Renter … he doesn’t say a word, but is amazing in his performance.

TAKERS:

Despite some serious plot holes, this is a pretty good thriller. Will you see the ending coming? Probably!

THE HUNGER GAMES

A giant at the box office, and the first of at least three and possibly four movies in the series based on the best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins, this tale of 17year-old Katniss Everdeen fighting for her life in a post-apocalyptic future is perfectly cast, and very well executed. Great move!